Archangel Crux: I need help with something...

[karenee]

Well, it sounds to me like you're creating a modern alternate earth. Often, fantasy writers do this by making magic work in downtown New York or something. In your case, the differences would be less obvious, perhaps, but I see no problem with it so long as you keep track of the things you want to change and do some quality world-building.

The authors of Left Behind worked like this with their series, for example. They made a strong assumption that the end of the world would happen by a certain pattern, God would show His power in just this way and evil act in a certain way. This may or may not be "the way things really are" however, they did their best to make it seem real by incorporating government positions, places, history, culture and events that are commonly recognized, along with their theological perspective. In the end, it's fantastic fiction, not a thesis on the end times.

So...you can tie together all sorts of interesting bits and pieces of trivia, mix in a strong dose of imagination and package it together as fiction. Lewis did this. SRL does this. Your idea can work in this way if you're careful with your worldbuilding. Keep developing the idea. If nothing else, you will learn more about writing by dealing with such a complex subject...and who knows? Eventually it might be something we'll all want to read!

[Bard Child]

But understand it's a Manga A graphic novel. It's not gonna be purely text. @.@ That would be nuts to write, I might morph it in to book, if I gain the balls to do so. But right now i'm gonna make it a webcomic/graphic novel. ANd most of the world buliding is on images pictures..

[dgan]

I have to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of comics, so I'm probably the wrong person to ask.

That said, a picture is worth a thousand words. So it is certainly possible to create this world of yours that way. However, I would just be careful of taking such a complex topic and making it too simplistic. It seems the idea could be a turn-off or even offensive to certain people if not explained fully. I'm not sure some pictures and a few lines of text are going to get your message across the way you intend.

Certainly put it together, just as a rough draft, if you really have your heart set on this. I'm contemplating writing a book myself that has some similar problems which I haven't decided how to address. But someone wise told me, "Just start writing!"

Once it is written down, you'll find out soon enough whether your presentation works or not.

[karenee]

*laugh* I recognized the difference in presentation when I wrote this, but it's still the same advice either way. You still have to think about these things whether you are describing a picture with words, or drawing it out for people to see.

Above all, have fun with it! I certainly can't imagine trying to draw a magna. My response would be about the same as yours to writing the book. *grin* To each her own.

[Bard Child]

I will problably novelize it eventutally.

But right now, with all the gags and jokes as well as the very serious moments. I see it my minds eye as a Manga.

[dgan]

Not to get off topic, but this is a great comment about the broad appeal of SRL's work.

[aprikores]

kg00ds Thanks for your delightful post, I’m glad you found my post insightful. I will definitely start reading his work and tell you what I thought of it. I have not read R. A. Salvatore but I can understand your dislike of anti-theism. I think authors should try to limit shoving religious beliefs down their readers throats, but I volunteer for a rabbi (even if I am not Sabbath observant) and I have no problem in theism in books. I've read quite a lot of Christian material, as I mentioned in my post. I’ve even read the Greek Bible, the Koran, the Book of the Mormon and I listen to MercyMe at work when I am stressed. (My boss thinks I’m freaky for that, but it is very bouncy and happy) In short, I’m a pretty open-minded person and all, but I can always learn more. I hope you will teach me.

And Dgan, no problem. I should not be so sensitive but I suppose I am a ton too proud of my nation’s history and the word “non-believer” rubs me the wrong way. Yes, atheists do believe in something, pure science. I suppose mentioning I’m a Hebrew. (Jewish refers to the tribe of Judah and its kingdom. I’m technically half Jewish, my father is from the tribe of Levi. But Judah became the normal tone)

Yes, I’ve had some pretty bad and good experiences with Christians. The bad ones made my little cousin cry because they told her she was going to hell. A lot of missionaries frequent my work and I often hate the way they treat “non-believers” like me. I’ll never forget how a person picketed my work at a tv studio, calling us Godless heathens. My boss is Orthodox Jewish and incredibly devout, the person next door is a Muslim and frankly, both are good people. I don’t mind talking about faith, I am a firm believer in understanding my brothers in knowledge. I don’t mind you bombarding me, as long as we accord each other mutual respect, feel free to blitz and teach me! The Mishna says "Who is wise? He who learns from everyone." A pleasure meeting you both!

[dgan]

Hey, don't feel bad...it's not just you. People here in America, who claim to believe in the same thing I do, actually picket (and I use that word loosely...it is often not that innocent) military funerals!! Argh! Telling a widow that her husband deserved to die and that she's going to hell at the funeral?! They better hope I never see such an event in person... It seems easier for people to say what they believe rather than live it.

So I apologize for the negative experiences and impressions 'Christians' have given you. It is one of the reasons I often cringe at identifying myself as 'Christian' - not because I'm ashamed of Christ, but because it is such a broad term these days that by taking that label I associate myself with people I have no agreement with.

Anyway, I'll shut up now.

I hope you enjoy Lawhead..I think you will.

[Bard Child]

Another question for my Manga/Novel in debate

Archangels (Since it's in the title and they are characters)
Now I know there are three archangels but, also in the Christian mythos is forth Uhriel. I'm debating weither weave him/her..(probly a him..) in to the story. I thought it would add twist. I'm using Aprikores as ref on him. Could I weave Uhriel in the story, Since he is part of the Christian Mythos?

Ugh nother issue...Free will, I relised that angels don't have free will, so how that work with the characters? Expecially the incarnated angels

[aprikores]

My two shekels,
Angels have no gender. In Hebrew grammar, it's default male but since Angels don't reproduce, no Y means no male.

And according to Jewish myth, Angels have no free will. That's why God gave the world the Bible, because people did have it.

[kg00ds]

bardchild said:

dgan said:

LOL. You caught me on that one. Sometimes, those terms I hated growing up still fall into my speech, especially when I get long-winded. It certainly was not my intent to imply that you were a non-believer in God or in general, but rather that you were a non-believer of Christian beliefs. Everyone believes in something (especially atheists, although they often refuse to grasp the concept), so I hope that slip up did not offend you. Now that I know you're Jewish, I'll have a better understanding of your background and hopefully that will aid me in using better word choices.

Let me make one point clear to all: Nothing said on this forum is meant to represent Lawhead's personal views or faith. I find Lawhead's greatest attribute as an author to be that his work speaks to almost everyone, regardless of the reader's belief. Much like C.S. Lewis, as you pointed out, although I would say Lawhead is often even more ambiguous. You certainly don't need to be a Christian to enjoy reading Lawhead.

OK, now that I've got that out of the way, you have the misfortune of being bombarded by Christians who do reside on this forum whenever the matter of Christian faith is brought up. This isn't because we're like over-zealous salespeople at the cosmetic counter (you know, the ones that look like they fell into a vat of Revlon?). We just get excited that someone actually wants to talk about it and we're not even at church!

I have long made it a point to avoid persuasive arguments on this forum, and rather just exchange ideas. This is what brought me to this thread, because there were conflicting ideas causing Bard Child to question exactly how to go about her story.

I believe the reason Bard Child is going to have a difficult time with this is for the precise reason you mentioned: Jews (and many non-Christians) have no concept of many things Christians find normal. This is why I suggested that it will likely be counter-productive to try to interest someone like yourself in a story rooted entirely in Christianity. It would be different if it were some type of innocent adventure with these Christian elements being an underlying theme. In that case, anyone could enjoy the adventure on its own and simply ignore the spiritual aspect if they choose. However, Bard Child's story sounds like it will smack you right between the eyes with Christian ideology.

Now I'm yammering. Bard Child - your plot simply sounds complicated. That, I believe, can make the best story. However, you're going to have to think outside the box to make all those different elements work. I would look back at books you've read, possibly that gave you this inspiration, and see what did and didn't work for those authors trying to balance reality and fantasy. I recall one author did something unique, yet simple, to reconcile a similar problem...what was it...something about a wardrobe...

Although, nearly every type of 'portal' has been beaten to death...perhaps your creative mind will come up with something original.

Well I wasn't thinking about a portal I was thinking this will be set in Cali. I want this to be fanstay and action, with some comedy and poking fun at some aspects of Christianty (Eg: Maddi has a St George plushy and St. Joan of Arc bobble head, she finds Chick Tracts hilarious and fundies a source of humor.) There are some dark aspects too, with Madison having the gift of Decernment and can pyscially see angels and demons, it does some heavy pyscological damage to her. Imagine you're eight, and you see an incubus raping a whore. Or a spirit of legalism on your favorite pastor. This kinda stuff makes a person insane. She was sent to pysch ward for a few months twice because of it. She takes medication to dull the mind a bit and drown what she sees. All and all, she sick of see freaks in her room and every else going, "Ragnarok" In her bedroom. She lives in her apartments mainly because of her grandparents are sick her yelling at random moments at nothing.
She torn on denining God and her gift/curse. And being his "demon slayer" and continue to use it, even though it's costing her sanity. The Angel character Radiance, give her some one to lean onto. His role shows her, that you are never alone. Thats is main Christain theme with the manga. When God is there, you are never alone.



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Hey, just a quick thought (I,m sure you probably have but if you have not) you should check out Perretti's books especially This PResent DArkness and Piercing the Darkness. Anyway, see you around.

[Bard Child]

I will have to look into it

I've discuss the last question I have with a mentor of mine

though I might have to run by it with my Uncle too <<